The video above is a solid rundown of the Texas two step dancing scene in Austin, covering 10 different spots where you can find live music and a dance floor. Whether you're looking for a classic honky tonk or a more laid-back brewery patio, this guide hits a good range of places spread across different parts of the city. David Bridwell visits each one and shows you what the crowd and music actually look like, which is more useful than just reading a list of names.
Where Can You Go Texas Two Step Dancing in Austin?
If you're trying to find places to two-step in Austin, here are the 10 venues featured in the video, spread across South Austin, Lamar Boulevard, North Austin, and East Austin:
- Jo's Coffee — A South Congress coffee shop open since 1999 that hosts live music and dancing on Sunday afternoons out back, featuring a house band with rotating local singers
- Guero's Taco Bar — Also on South Congress, with the Oak Garden stage where you can grab tacos and a margarita while catching live music many nights of the week
- ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.) — A brewery with a full food menu and live music multiple nights; Sunday afternoons are especially popular with dancers, and Libby and the Loveless is a crowd favorite
- Sagebrush — A downhome South Congress destination with live music every night, beer, cocktails, and pool tables; Tuesday nights with Hayden Butler have been a go-to for dancers
- The Highball — A colorful cocktail bar on Lamar next to Alamo Drafthouse that's been booking good danceable live music on Thursday nights, including sets from Cactus Lee
- Broken Spoke — A legendary Austin dance hall open since 1964; it leans more tourist-oriented now but still draws old regulars and classic country acts like Alvin Crow playing Western Swing
- Backwood Bar — A renovated spot in far South Austin with food trucks, outdoor seating, and a dance-friendly interior where acts like Bakersfield TX play
- Little Longhorn Saloon — A small North Austin beer joint with live music nearly every day; the dance floor is compact but the crowd is loyal, and The Merles are a regular draw
- High Noon — A North Austin hangout on Cesar Chavez set in an old house with patio seating and food trucks; live music sometimes brings out the two-steppers, like when Mayu and Brassard played
- White Horse — One of Austin's most popular spots for dancing, located on East 6th Street with multiple live acts every night; weekdays tend to draw more serious dancers while weekends get packed with a drinking crowd
Best Nights of the Week for Dancing in Austin
Not every night is equal if you're specifically going out to dance. Based on what's covered in the video, Tuesday nights at Sagebrush, Thursday nights at the Highball, and Sunday afternoons at Jo's Coffee and ABGB are some of the more reliable nights to find a good two-step crowd. Weekday nights at the White Horse also tend to attract more of the regular dancers rather than the weekend bar crowd. Planning around these nights gives you a much better shot at actually getting on the floor.